Get Real
By Kori Ashton

While “coming out” and “living real” seems to be a theme in our LGBT community, many of us struggle in being real throughout our relationship with God. What does it mean to get real and to be authentic with Jesus? Doesn’t He know everything anyway?

Sadly many of us have a warped view of how we are to act and look as Christians in our everyday lives. Christ does see all and knows all, so there’s really no reason to hide anything from Him. But for some reason we think if we wear our clothes just right or quote enough Scripture, surely we will impress God to the point of gaining eternal life. Being a true, real Christian is all about our heart condition.

There is a story in the Bible that talks about those who live fake lives before God?

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me…’

These people obviously were doing good works and calling out to the Lord so why did Christ turn them away? Jesus said; “Get away from me – because He never KNEW you.

We need to get to a place where living in front of Jesus (like in church or around other believers) looks just the same as when you are alone or with other friends who are not Christ-followers. Our goal should be to become so real in our lives that we no longer put on our “Sunday best” to be seen by God and worry about saying all the right “Christianize” during our prayers. But rather that we become so real and unafraid to give Him our desperate weak selves that in our broken, naked state He sees us – the true US and in that He will KNOW us.

Getting real with God starts by reading His Word and continues with prayer and fellowship with believers. Getting to know God requires a daily relationship. Think about it – if you just started dating someone – you want to spend every moment possible with them getting to know them. You might not want them to know what you look like without makeup or that you actually have gas every once in a while, but that’s reality! It’s not until you get intimate with each other that you begin to see that person for who they really are – you KNOW them!
That’s what it is like to get real with God. It might not always be pretty or perfect but it’s REAL.

Check out some real stuff from David in the Bible – it’s messy and David gets real in sharing it. And it’s exactly what God loves!

Psalm 142 (New International Version)
1 I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.

2 I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.

4 Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.

7 Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.

Disclaimer - Please don't allow anyone - not even us - to dictate your walk with Christ. When you stand before the Lord - you will stand before Him alone. You, alone, will be accountable for your actions. It's a serious responsibility. So dig into the Bible for yourself and challenge your heart to find the truth - not YOUR truth but God's truth for you. The Word says to seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened.

Get Real By Kori Ashton

Get Real
By Kori Ashton